Page 21 of Once Upon a Winter's Tale
“When the duke—your father—gained this property, he needed a butler to help manage the staff and asked me. I had been working as an underbutler and took the job. It has been my pleasure to be here, Your Grace.”
Albert nodded. It explained things, but he couldn’t help but feel there was more, although he didn’t know what question to ask to find out.
“It appears my mother will join us for dinner,” he said in a surprised tone, reading the note. “Please have Mrs. Houser prepare her rooms and alert the stable to expect the horses and carriage.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I shall handle it immediately.” With that, the butler turned and left.
Albert’s mother was joining them. Why?
It meant he needed to decide what to do about Brianna that much sooner.
Chapter Eight
Later that afternoon
Albert was finishingup a brandy in his study when he heard a commotion at the front of the house. Rereading his aunt’s brief note and some documents from his father showing the deeded property had given him useful information, including the improvements made to the property. His father had completed renovations in the dowager house five years past. Apparently, Lady Thomas and her daughter had stayed in the manor house before that and moved in then.
He wondered what had precipitated the move… and more, what had precipitated their living here. There was still no explanation for that, but he hesitated to ask because it was apparent his father had been behind it. To question it might make them feel unwelcome, and that was the last thing he wanted.
Indeed, had they not been living here, he would never have met Brianna Thomas, the woman who seemed to have turned his world inside out.
Stepping from behind his desk, he hurried to the front door, just as the door to a black coach with the Kendall insignia opened. West was about to help the passenger out of the carriage, but Albert hurried down the steps, tapped West on the shoulder, and took over.
“Welcome to… the manor, Mother,” he said, kissing her on the cheek. “But I wondered what you were thinking to travel alone.”
“She didn’t come alone, dear brother,” Roger said, emerging from behind his mother. “I rode along, determined to keep her safe. But she was most insistent.”
“Roger! I’m happy to see you. Mother has been here before, but I imagine you are as much a stranger to the property as I was before I arrived,” Albert said, shaking his brother’s hand before pulling him close and hugging him. “I’m glad you came. I suppose I can shelve any vexation I may have concerning Mother traveling here alone. Thank you!”
“No, I did not. Your father’s ghost would have risen and shaken me to the core. He was very fastidious about our safety,” she said. “I think about Lawrence every day, and when we meet again, I want no lectures,” she said, giving a small swipe at a rogue tear that escaped her eye.
Losing his father had been an enormous shock; Albert knew they would always mourn his passing, especially considering the tragic way he had died. A horrific accident had interrupted a planned homecoming for his brothers Roger and Henry from the Napoleonic Wars, aided by a disastrous storm that had taken the life of their father too soon.
“It was a little tricky with the snowfall, but luckily, we didn’t encounter icy road conditions. However, I believe we will wait until the snow clears before returning home,” the duchess said, handing Augustus her cloak and hat. Behind her, West and another footman carried her trunks to her room.
“It looks like you are staying for weeks, Mother,” Albert said, grinning.
“I mentioned that too,” Roger said, “and was told one never knows when one will need a particular item.”
Both men snickered. Their mother tried to look indignant but threw her hands up. “Guilty as charged.” She laughed. “Your father would say the same things to me, but finally gave up. Let us not forget Christmastide is almost upon us. Parties require extra clothing.”
At that, both men shook their heads.
“Tell me news of home. How are Henry, Livy, and Lauren?” Alfred asked.
“You’ve only been gone a few days… well, a week and a half, brother,” Roger gibed. “Most things are as you left—except the stable cat who had a brood of kittens.”
“What I’m interested in, son, is how are things here?” their mother asked, wearing a strained look that hadn’t been on her face five minutes ago. Even Roger’s look had altered.
“Things are fine… more than fine, really,” Albert replied. “But there is something I don’t know and should know. Can you come into the study?” He saw West pass by, having finished unloading the carriage, which Albert could now hear being moved from in front of the house. “West, would you mind asking Cook to have tea sent to the study? Would you like anything else, Mother, Roger?”
Both gave a shake of their head.
“Tea is perfect for me after that chilly ride here,” the duchess added.
*
His mother tookone of the leather chairs in front of his desk, and Roger stoked the flames on the fireplace before taking the other leather chair. “I love the shape of this room. If my office looked like this, I might never leave it,” he joked.
